June 20, 2007, Wednesday

In a high-profile mea culpa the Smithsonian Institution issued a report saying that its Board of Regents had failed to provide the oversight that might have prevented extravagant spending by its former chief executive.

To the Editor: Re ''The Smithsonian Challenge'' (editorial, March 27), about the search for a new leader of this public institution: ''Public'' at the Smithsonian has meant free admission. But by not charging a fee, the Smithsonian is out...